82R1453 JAM-D
 
  By: Martinez H.B. No. 59
 
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to recipients of financial assistance administered by the
 
  Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
         
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         
         SECTION 1.  Section 2306.111, Government Code, is amended by
 
  adding Subsection (j) to read as follows:
         
         (j)  The department by rule shall:
               
               (1)  adopt policies to ensure that each housing
 
  development that receives financial assistance administered by the
 
  department, including financial assistance from the proceeds of
 
  bonds issued by the department:
                     
                     (A)  reserves a certain number of units in the
 
  development for individuals and families of very low income, to the
 
  extent that the reservation does not conflict with any requirements
 
  for the development under 26 U.S.C. Section 42; and
                     
                     (B)  except as otherwise permitted by law, accepts
 
  as tenants individuals and families receiving rental assistance
 
  under Section 8, United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
 
  Section 1437f), or some other form of rental assistance from a
 
  political subdivision of this state or from the state or federal
 
  government; and
               
               (2)  establish enforcement mechanisms with respect to
 
  those housing developments that refuse to admit individuals and
 
  families as described by Subdivision (1)(B).
         
         SECTION 2.  (a)  The change in law made by this Act in adding
 
  Section 2306.111(j), Government Code, applies only to an
 
  application for financial assistance that is submitted by a housing
 
  development to the Texas Department of Housing and Community
 
  Affairs on or after January 1, 2012.  An application for financial
 
  assistance that is submitted by a housing development to the
 
  department before January 1, 2012, is governed by the law in effect
 
  when the application was submitted, and the former law is continued
 
  in effect for that purpose.
         
         (b)  Not later than December 1, 2011, the Texas Department of
 
  Housing and Community Affairs shall adopt the rules required by
 
  Section 2306.111(j), Government Code, as added by this Act.
         
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.